Ringing the changes: Big Ben's tower may be renamed for Queen's Jubilee

By Bryony Jones, CNN

Updated 1158 GMT (1858 HKT) May 4, 2012

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – British lawmakers want to rename St Stephen's Tower -- known to tourists around the world as "Big Ben" -- after Queen Elizabeth II.

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Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – The Queen, seen here addressing both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall, is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

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Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – MP Tobias Ellwood says naming the tower, seen here in the background of the coronation parade, after the monarch would be a fitting way to mark her 60th year on the throne.

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Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – "Big Ben" is one of London's most famous landmarks. The four glass clock faces on the tower, each measuring seven meters in diameter, are cleaned by a team of experts once every five years.

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Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – Big Ben is actually the name of the 13.5 ton bell inside the tower. The clock came into operation on 31st May 1859; Big Ben rang out for the first time later that year.

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Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – Ellwood said that if the renaming plans were given the go-ahead, he hoped the Queen would not have to climb the 334 steps to the belfry for an official ceremony.

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Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben'7 photos

Ringing the changes: Renaming 'Big Ben' – It remains to be seen whether the new name, Elizabeth Tower, will be widely used, or if the public will stick with the old nickname. Jokers have suggested meeting half way, with the new nickname 'Big Beth'.

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Story highlights

British lawmakers want St Stephen's Tower to be renamed in honor of Queen Elizabeth II

Clock tower is one of London's most famous landmarks, home to "Big Ben" bell

Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee -- marking 60 years on the throne -- this year

Other tower at Houses of Parliament named after long-serving monarch Queen Victoria

British lawmakers want to rename one of London's most famous landmarks -- known to tourists around the world as "Big Ben" -- after Queen Elizabeth II, for her Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen marks 60 years on the throne in 2012, and politicians believe that naming St. Stephen's Tower, the clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, in her honor would be a fitting tribute to her years of service.

"Not many kings and queens have served for such a long time," Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who is leading the renaming campaign, told CNN. "Only two have celebrated their Diamond Jubilee -- Queen Elizabeth II, and Queen Victoria.

"The other tower at the Palace of Westminster is named in honour of Queen Victoria; the clock tower has lots of nicknames -- Big Ben, St Stephen's Tower, or just the Clock Tower -- but no official name.

"It seems a superb way to honor a very distinguished life, and the many years of service she has given to the country."

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Ellwood said his plan had the support of MPs from across the political spectrum, and that he hoped they would back his bill to officially name the tower after the Queen in the coming weeks -- in time for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June.

"Of course, if it does go ahead it will mean that the next time a monarch reaches their 60th anniversary we'll have to build another tower -- but I don't suppose we'll have to worry about that for a while," he joked.

"Big Ben" is officially the name of the 13.5 ton bell inside St Stephen's Tower, and not the name of the tower itself.

The bell rang out for the first time in July 1859 -- but cracked two months later. Its chimes were silenced for the next four years, until a way was found to make it peal again in 1863 (by turning it slightly), however, the crack is still visible. Today it rings -- in the key of E -- each hour, while a series of quarter bells chime every 15 minutes.

It remains unclear whether the new name -- Elizabeth Tower -- will capture the public imagination, or if they will continue to refer to it as "Big Ben". However, jokers have already suggested a new nickname: "Big Beth."